Hey Porter
Johnny Cash Lyrics

Hey, Porter
Addressing the train porter, Johnny Cash wants his attention and assistance.

Would you tell me the time?
Johnny Cash is asking the porter for the time.

How much longer will it be 'Til we cross that Mason Dixon Line?
Johnny Cash wants to know how much longer it will take until they cross the Mason Dixon Line, the boundary between the northern and southern United States.

At daylight would you tell that engineer to slow it down Or better still, just stop the train 'Cause I want to look around
Johnny Cash wants the porter to ask the train engineer to slow down or stop the train during daylight so he can observe his surroundings.

What time did you say? How much longer will it be 'Til I can see the light of day?
Johnny Cash is asking the porter what time it is and how much longer until he can get off the train and see the light of day.

When we hit Dixie will you tell that engineer to ring his bell And ask everybody that ain't asleep to stand right up and yell
Johnny Cash wants the porter to ask the engineer to ring the train bell and have those who are awake yell when they cross into Dixie, the southern United States.

It's getting light outside This old train is puffin' smoke and I have to strain my eyes But ask that engineer if he will blow his whistle please 'Cause I smell frost on cotton leaves And I feel that Southern breeze
Johnny Cash asks the porter to have the engineer blow the train whistle because he can sense they are approaching the South through the smell of frost and the feeling of the Southern breeze.

Please get my bags for me I need nobody to tell me now that we're in Tennessee Go tell that engineer to make that lonesome whistle scream We're not so far from home so take it easy on the steam
Johnny Cash wants the porter to get his bags after arriving in Tennessee, and wants the engineer to whistle loudly because they are close to home and don't need to rush anymore.

Please open up the door When they stop this train I'm gonna get off first 'Cause I can't wait no more
Johnny Cash wants the porter to open the train door because he wants to be the first one off the train when it stops, as he doesn't want to wait any longer.

Tell that engineer I say, Thanks a lot and I didn't mind the fare I'm gonna set my feet on Southern soil And breathe that Southern air
Finally, Johnny Cash thanks the engineer for getting him to the South and says he didn't mind paying the train fare. He's excited to step on Southern soil and breathe in the Southern air.